Posted by Natalie Handy

JustThe Facts

She was born in Richford on July 19, 1922 the daughter of the late Homidas and Wilhelmine (Gagnon) Morel.

Irene was a lifelong resident of Richford where she grew up on Town House Hill. She was a 1940 graduate of Richford High School and was a member of All Saints Catholic Church. Irene was employed as a bookkeeper at Sweat-Comings, Kelly Insurance Agency (Frank Donahue) and the Richford School System. Irene and Bob also enjoyed traveling having visited California and Florida. She enjoyed playing cards, dancing and roller skating. She also enjoyed coffee and visits with her friends. Irene’s greatest joy was raising her daughter Betty and spending time with her and family.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Ricky Doe and his fiancée, Mary Anne Duell of Berkshire; granddaughter, Laura Cole and her husband, Wade, of Georgia; her grandson, Charles Doe and his girlfriend, Shannon Maynard, of Georgia; her great grandchildren, Noah and Elias Cole; her brother, Rene Morel and his wife, Nettie, of Richford. Besides her parents, Irene was predeceased by her husband, Robert Benson, on Aug. 7, 2002; and her daughter, Betty Doe on Sept. 19, 2011.

Irene’s family wishes to thank the staff at Our Lady of the Meadows in Richford where Irene had made her home for the last year, the folks at Meals on Wheels of Richford and the staff at Franklin County Home Health Agency for the wonderful care provided to Irene.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 152 Main St., Richford with Rev. Karl Hahr celebrating the Mass of Christian burial. Interment will be held later this spring at the All Saints Cemetery. In keeping with Irene’s wishes there will be no visiting hours.

For those who wish, contributions in Irene’s memory may be made to the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478 or to the Meals on Wheels Program of Richford, 14 Province Street, Richford, VT 05476.